Gerald Hamstra

Jerry Hamstra’s nickname couldn’t have been further from the mark. He went by “Gerk,” but Jerry was far from it. He was a wonderful man, kind and considerate, gracious and generous. He was a proud veteran and community leader, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Most of all, Jerry was a good Christian man with a good life, a life we were so blessed to have shared.

Jerry’s story began on a hot summer day in 1925, in the shoreline city of Holland, Michigan. Those were good days in this country, times of peace and prosperity, when big bands were king and Prohibition was law of the land. On July 18, 1925, Andrew and Reka (Baker) Hamstra had even more to celebrate with the birth of their first child, a baby son they named Gerald.

Jerry was the first of seven children and as such, he had more than his share of responsibility growing up. His family moved around West Michigan quite a bit in the early years, eventually settling on the city’s north side.

Jerry’s dad died when he was just 10 years old, leaving him as the man of the house before his time. Jerry shouldered the burden marvelously, caring for his younger siblings and helping raise them, serving as their father figure. His baby sister Marilyn couldn’t say the name Gerald, and it came out “Gerk.” Jerry’s lifelong nickname was born.

Jerry attended a little one-room schoolhouse with his siblings, and the family dog would follow them to school and wait patiently for recess and the end of school. Jerry did find time for some fun when he was young and played a lot of hockey as a young boy. He was a great skater and ice-skated on the Black River every New Year’s.

Another pastime of Jerry’s was “fighting” with the pretty little girl from his elementary class, Esther. Little did they know what the future held for the two of them.

Jerry left school after the eighth grade to go to work fulltime to help his family, but soon his Uncle Sam would require his services, too. Jerry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in April of 1943 at the age of 17. Because of his age, he needed his mother's signature, and it took him almost a month to convince her to sign the papers allowing him to become a Marine.

Jerry proudly served his country until the end of the war and was buoyed by the heartfelt letters he received from Esther, that little girl he teased in grade school. Of course, she had grown into a lovely young woman, and after he was discharged and returned home, they wasted little time before getting married.

Jerry and Esther were married at the Ninth Street Christian Reformed Church on October 24, 1946, in a double wedding with her twin sister Ethel. The newlywed Hamstras and Kruithoffs became inseparable the rest of their lives.

Eventually, Jerry and Esther built a home on Pinecrest Drive, where they would live the next 54 years and where they would raise their family. The couple was blessed with five fine sons over the years, Jerry, Stan, Rick, Randy, and Ken, who made their parents so happy and proud. Jerry was a wonderful role model for his sons, and they knew he always supported them, no matter what had happened (or they had done!).

Jerry provided for his wonderful family with his own business, first as co-owner of Hank & Jerry’s Auto and later Jerry’s Auto Body. He was a great provider and a hard worker, as well as a master at his craft. Jerry also shared his knowledge with others and served as a mentor of the Ottawa Area Intermediate Tech Center, as well as Chairman of the Career Line Tech Center, helping establish the auto body division there. He was also a member of the West Ottawa Athletic Boosters Club.

As hard as he worked, Jerry always made time for his family. They went on many camping trips as a family, with the Kruithoffs and with the boys’ Boy Scout Troops, as Jerry served as Scout Leader for many years. The families also took many trips to the Ludington State Park, the Upper Peninsula, and one unforgettable trip out West together to Arizona and the Grand Canyon. Christmas was a very special time for the families when they all gathered together to open a mountain of gifts on Christmas Eve.

Jerry taught his sons the importance of family — and also faith. Jerry and Esther were wonderful, Christian people and very active in the church. They joined the Beechwood Reformed Church in 1964 where Jerry served on the Greater Consistory. The family always prayed before and after every meal, and Esther would read daily Scripture, as well.

Jerry enjoyed bowling and golfing. After Jerry retired, he and Esther began spending their winters in Texas and Arizona.

Sadly, Esther died on March 1, 1999, after many happy years together. Though saddened, Jerry wasn’t meant to be alone for long. He began dating a wonderful woman named Joyce Buitendorp, a longtime family friend and widow. They quickly fell in love and were married on June 23, 2000, in Holland.

Jerry and Joyce loved their time together, though eventually, Jerry’s health began to fail him. Sadly, he died on Saturday, January 19, 2008, in Arizona at the age of 82.

Jerry was a wonderful man who lived a wonderful life, a life built on faith and surrounded by family. He always gave back to the people around him. Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, but more than anything, he was a good man with a good life, a life we were so blessed to have shared. He will be so greatly missed.

Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife, Esther; a son, Ken Hamstra on March 17, 2000; a grandson, Rollie Van Hemert in 1984; and a granddaughter, Heather Hamstra in 1986.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce Hamstra, of Zeeland; children Jerry and Darlene Hamstra of Fruitport; Stan and Diane Hamstra and Rick Hamstra of Holland; Randy and Joan Hamstra of Grandville; daughter-in-law Nan and Jim Hamstra-Borlik of Holland; step children Roger and Connie Buitendorp of Holland; Deb and Gary Canales of Fennville; and Gail and Lynn Loncki of Saudi Arabia; 12 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 5 step grandchildren; and 2 step great grandchildren; brothers and sisters Glenn and Isla Hamstra of Tucson, AZ; Ted and Dorothy Hamstra of Spring Lake; and Marilyn Yakaitis of Arizona; in-laws Len Tubergan, Henry Jr. and Oma Tubergan, Dewey and Eleanor Tubergan, Laura Essenburg, Bernie Meiste, Marion and Jack Lundy, and Chester and Sandy Prins, all of Holland; Ray and Alma Tubergan, Marvin and Dorrie Tubergan, and Jo Ann Hamstra, all of Zeeland. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, 11:00 am, at Beechwood Reformed Church. Officiating will be the Revs. Marvin Beukelman and Jim Lankheet. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 pm, at the Northwood Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, 295 Douglas Ave., Holland.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mike and Bonnie Timmer Mission Fund through Beechwood Reformed Church.

Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Jerry, or to sign his guestbook.